POCONOS OR BIRKSHIRES
 

Planning a trip, "just the two of us", anybody got any info on either of these places? Which do you like best and why? I know they have fantastic hotels in the Poconos and have heard there are some in Birkshires but I haven't found any on line. Can you guys help? <BR>Many thanx

Kathy...the correct spelling is Berkshires...try another search using that, computers being the picky things they are! :&gt; <BR> <BR>I grew up there so don't have much experience with inns, but did stay at the Red Lion Inn in Stockbridge once after my parents were gone and our home sold. It's typical old New England, genteely worn...hope that makes sense to you. It's not a negative comment! Rooms are on the small side, doors sort of ill-fitting, coiled knotted rope for a fire escape lying by our radiator. Hope that was just for show! I loved it, but then, it's "home" to me. It has a nice dining room and great bar. <BR> <BR>Stockbridge is quite picturesque as is the surrounding area. Norman Rockwell painted "Main Street", which was Stockbridge's Main Street and it looks today exactly as it did when he painted it. If you go, be sure to see the Norman Rockwell Museum on the edge of town. This is also very convenient to Tanglewood...summer home to the Boston Symphony. <BR> <BR>Perhaps one of the most elegant places to stay in the area is Wheatleigh, in Lenox. It's an old mansion, one of the former "summer cottages" that were sprinkled around the area. Cottages, by the way, is a misnomer. Wheatleigh's dining room has a terrific reputation as well. I know they have a website. They are quite expensive and are a bit of a drive, as compared to the Red Lion Inn where you'll just walk out your door onto the main street of Stockbridge. <BR> <BR>There are a number of B&Bs as well. The area has been found, being an easy drive from NYC, so is growing up rapidly.

Kathy, <BR> <BR>I heard some bad things about Mt. Airey Lodge in Tannersvillle,PA in Poconos. My parents now live in the Poconos. In a development called Big Bass Lake. I think a lot of people rent houses there. They have a indoor/outdoor pool,Lake with small beach, Tennis courts. 20-30 minutes away from The Crossing- Hugh outside outlet mall. <BR>Let me know if I can get you more information.

I would go to the Berkshires over the Poconos. Beautiful region with a lot of cultural actitivites if you want. The Poconos aren't as classy as the Berkshire region (IMHO, anyway).

I totally agree with Paule about the Berkshires. The Poconos certainly has nothing that compares with Tanglewood!

Kathy, <BR>I live near Philadelphia and would steer clear of the Poconos. The Berkshires are more interesting, have nicer inns...the ambiance overall is superior in the Berkshires. <BR> <BR>

What specifically is the prob with the Poconos. I was interested in a few hotels, one of them coincedently is Mt Airy. And there are a few called Cearsars something. What I like about them is that they have jacuzzi and pools and fireplaces in your room. Seems kinda romantic to me. Are they sleazy or dumpy or what? Also, does anyone know if they have hotels with these amenities in the Berkshires? <BR>Thanx for everybodys responses/comments, they are truly appreciated......

Spent a summer in the Poconos, and the next summer in the Berkshires. <BR> <BR>If you like cheesy (Read: if you think Atlantic City is THE place to spend a weekend), then you'll like the Poconocs. If you like private, beautiful old B&Bs and a quiet drives in the mountains, a relaxing night at Tanglewood, then the Berkshires is for you. On the other hand, if what's important to you is a massive name-brand hotel and outlet shopping, then by all means head to the Poconos. <BR> <BR>There are TONS of B&Bs in the Berkshires, and most of the better ones have in-room jacuzzis and fireplaces. If you can't find anything on the Internet, buy a book or call the Mass. tourist bureau.

Kathy, <BR> <BR>Read a very recent past Fodors Expert Forum on Pennsylvania. The Fodors Expert was asked a similar question regarding your Poconos question. His reply was pretty negative. <BR>Ann hit the nail on the head. I've seen the websites of some of the Pocono properties and they do look attractive. We drive to Poconos during fall foilage and have opportunity to physically see various properties. I'd rather stay home than pay money and stay at some of the 'famous' properties listed in travel pages and travel guides.

PS -- forgot to add our fall foilage trips are day trips.

Kathy: My parents own a timeshare in Lenox, MA (Berkshires) at a place called Foxhollow. I seem to recall that the main building had rooms for non-timeshare guests. I remember the timeshare units had fireplaces and jacuzzis. The grounds were beautiful, quiet and peaceful. They also had tennis courts, horseback riding and a wonderful restaurant. You may want to try calling Foxhollow to find out if they have rooms and/or if any of their timeshare units are for rent by non-owners. The number is (413) 637-2000. My vote is definitely for the Berkshires, any time of year!

Hi Kathy; <BR>I live in the Berkshires and vacationed in the Poconos a few times (not by choice). It is a great place, the Berkshires. The Poconos were a bit on the seedy side. <BR>I have the 2000 Official Visitor's Guide that has 200 pages of where to stay, what to do, etc. It is published by the Berkshire Visitor's Burear, 800-237-5747, www.berkshires.org. <BR>We are known as "America's Premier Cultural Resort." <BR>There is lots to do from south to north county (Berkshire is a county). Jacob's Pillow (dance), Lee's Prime Outlets (Polo, etc.) Chesterwood Museum (sculpture), Norman Rockwell Museum, Hancock Shaker Village, homes of famous writers, Mass MoCA (huge contemporary art museum with performing arts too), lots of really good theatre, Williamstown Theatre draws famous actors every summer, loads of hiking (Mt. Greylock is the highest peak in Massachusetts), ballet, the Clark Art has lots of Monet, Degas in a beautiful setting, Tanglewood (music), Berkshire Opera, Shakespeare, boating, llama treks, golfing. <BR>Some great restaurants in Lenox and Williamstown. Get the guide for places to stay, eat, etc. You'll need a car as the county is about 65 miles long and these activities are dotted throughout. <BR>My vote is Berkshires - obviously. <BR>

I think if you want B&B's and culture. You should go to the Berkshires. On the other hand I know someone who spent their honeymoon in the Poconos and goes back every year. My family and I were in the Poconos over Winter break for the snow and we had a good time. Although we didn't stay at a couples type resort. The town of Jim Thorpe on the southern end of the poconos is a quaint little town too. <BR>And I would like to remind Ann that it takes all kinds to make the world go around. No need to get so nasty over other people's choices.

I must say "thanx" to those who posted helpful, polite replys. <BR>Actually I am kind of looking forward to the "seediness" of the Poconos. Maybe it's just me but I think jacuzzis, private pools, fireplaces and saunas are romantic. <BR>Again, thanx for the reply's......

I think I can safely sum up the "issue": Chances are if you like or would like the Berkshires, than you don't or won't like the Poconos and vice versa!

Kathy--It's not the amenities in the Poconos that are the problem, it's the presentation. Jacuzzi: nice. Jacuzzi in champagne-glass-shaped lucite bathtub: ick. Private pool: nice. Heart-shaped private pool in the middle of your hotel room: ick. A lot of the resorts in the Poconos have a creepy shag-rug 70s hipster ambiance. Then again, there's a nature preserve/vacation community in the Poconos that's as tasteful as anything anywhere. Not sure if it has any hotel-like places, however, and I assume you don't want to buy a house for one vacation! <BR>Let us know how your trip is--we love reports!

If you plan to be in a porno flick, then <BR>by all means, go to Poconos. The atmosphere at some of those resorts <BR>will make you feel like you are on a bad <BR>movie set of a cheap porno flick.